The Red Ferret Top 21 HTML5 Free Games [Daily Freeware]

Flash is dead, long live Flash. Well it may not be dead yet, but the writing’s on the wall, and the replacement has started to stretch its wings. HTML5 is an interactive global web standard which aims to deliver Flash type functionality in the browser without installing plugins, and the first games based around the technology are already appearing on the Web.

One of the key advantages of moving to HTML5 for game development is the fact that each game should be playable on computer, tablet or smartphone, a truly cross platform solution. Right now some games are more cross platform compatible than others, but over time this will improve as the technology matures.

Here’s our selection of some of the best at the moment. We’ve classed this as freeware since you can download some of them to phone or computer for offline play. If you know of any others shout out in the comments.

Pirates Love Daisies. Magically innovative tower defence game substituting cute pirates for the typical mechanical tech towers, and creatures like giant crabs and rats as the attackers. It features awesome graphics, a huge amount of sub-text (a pirate called Inigo?) and bags of character. Superb!

Agent 8 Ball. A gorgeous spin on the traditional pool game (geddit?). Race against the clock and a hidden time bomb and clear the table to win. Stunning graphics and a great game make this a real winner.

Cut The Rope. Another beautifully rendered game, with gameplay that’s so addictive I rushed out and bought the Android version for my phone. Basically it’s a puzzler, but with intriguing tasks instead of just boring repetition. Excellent game all round.

Bejeweled. The classic time-waster gets a refreshed format as an HTML5 game, and it’s lovely. All the traditionally fun gameplay, done up in a gorgeous high definition skin, and running silkily smooth in the browser. Don’t start playing this at work unless you want to end up wasting half your day. You have been warned.

WordSquared. A full blown multiplayer word game not unlike Scrabble (shhh), decked out in a delicious graphical gravy and a fabulous interface. The rules are simple, you can only play off your own words after the first go, which sounds easy, but isn’t. If you’re a Scrabble fan you’ll love this to bits.

DollarIsle. A lovely looking city building game along the lines of CityVille. It features pretty conventional gameplay, become rich and powerful by building stuff and collecting rent. You get the picture. What’s neat though is you can switch playing between your phone and laptop instantly. Oh the joys of no Flash.

Angry Birds. Aw c’mon, what kind of a games review would this be without an HTML5 version of this monster hit to throw into the mix? The same gameplay, identically awesome graphics, just as addictively ridiculous. This franchise is just going from strength to strength.

Dead Earth. In complete contrast, why not explore new worlds, trade with neighbouring planets or fight them with this retro styled space themed online multiplayer game. The gameplay will be familiar to veterans of the old era of Elite, but the new HTML5 browser environment is bang up to date. Strictly for geekier Sci-Fi lovers.

AirScape. We’re talking one wacky octopus in a strange alien environment platformer here, but with a twist. Is it underwater? Is it upside down? Why can the fish talk and why does the world revolve so much? To say this is quirky is an understatement, but original is also a good word to use. Great fun.

Emberwind. So it’s adventure you want? Well join this merry crew of Lucky, Kindle the Owl and a host of naughty gremlins on a search for acorns and more. At its heart just a traditional platformer, but with enough of a difference to become engrossing. Perfect for the goblin chasers among us.